From LexBot twenty-four seven, Kentucky's state legislature has approved a thirty-one billion dollar two-year budget and sent it to the governor's desk. The spending plan includes a two percent increase in school funding, but notably excludes several education priorities that Governor Beshear had requested. The budget does not include funding for teacher pay raises or universal pre-kindergarten programs that the governor had advocated for. The omission of these education initiatives has drawn criticism from supporters who had hoped to see more substantial investments in Kentucky's schools and early childhood programs. The General Assembly's version of the budget now heads to Governor Beshear, who will decide whether to sign the legislation or seek changes. The thirty-one billion dollar spending plan will guide state government operations and priorities for the next two years if enacted. We'll continue following this story as the governor reviews the legislature's budget proposal.

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